Agnes Reardon has been a trailblazer for women’s issues throughout her adult life.

She moved to Huddersfield in the 1970s and travelled the world promoting women’s rights and causes, meeting many world leaders along the way.

This week Agnes, of Heaton Road, Gledholt, celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends. She has also received messages of congratulation and tribute from various organisations.

Born in Lancashire, she was a key member of The Soroptimists, Inner Wheel and national president of Women’s Citizens. She joined the board of the International Alliance of Women, a non-governmental organisation within the United Nations campaigning for equal rights and opportunities for women.

It was in this role that she attended national and international assemblies, and for nine years chaired the Commission on Slavery and Prostitution.

During this time she met many world leaders, including Egypt’s President Sadat, Indira Ghandi, Betty Ford, the Empress of Iran, Giscard D’Estaing and Margaret Thatcher.

Agnes was not afraid to tackle sensitive issues head on. She was campaigning against female circumcision 40 years ago and has visited many foreign brothels to see prostitutes’ lives at first-hand. During the war she worked in a munitions factory and returned to college at the age of 40 to become a teacher for five years.

She married Bert, who died in 1975, and has a son, Michael, daughter, Judith, three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Daughter Judith Corrigan said: “My mother has been a campaigner for most of her life and is very passionate about women’s rights, prostitution and slavery. “She has made a real difference to women’s lives around the world.

“She is still active, she reads the Telegraph every day and looked a million dollars at her party last Saturday in a cream chiffon dress.”

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